Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/197

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 185 Yet this landlouper* we all know, saga xii. In Africa scarce fed a crow. Of all his arms used in the field, Those in most use were helm and shield." Arne sprang up instantly, drew his sword, and was going to fall upon him ; but Hakon told him to let it alone and be quiet, and bade him remember that if it came to a quarrel he would come off the worst himself. Thorarin afterwards went up to the king, and said he had composed a poem which he wished the king to hear. The king consented, and the song is known by the name of the Stuttfeld Poem. The king asked Thorarin what he intended to do. He replied, it was his. intention to go to Rome. Then the king gave him much money for his pilgrimage, and told him to visit him on his return, and promised to pro- vide for him. But it is not related whether they ever met again. It is the general opinion among the people, that Chapter that there never was a king more able to act for him- of sigurd self, or more adapted to govern, than King Sigurd ; ^^'Jtj^"^'^ but latterly it happened that he could with difficulty govern his own mind and reason, so that, now and then, unhappy and heavy occurrences took place ; although he was always respected as a great prince, and stood in great reputation on account of his foreign expedition. It is told that King Sigurd, one holiday in Easter, sat at table with many people, among whom were many of his friends ; and when he came to his high seat, people saw that his countenance was very wild, and as if he had been weeping, so that people were afraid of what might follow. The king owner Suttung, he voided it in his flight when he was pursued ; and this excrement fell into the hands of the bad poets^ and is their inspir- ation, or poet's'drink.
 * Fioruskeifr, is a landlouper, as well as Arne's surname.